Original License treated Invalid

[Guest]

I'm using Genuine Windows and I had a system crash and I reinstalled Windows
XP Pro. But after installation on activating it, I got an error message that
The Windows CD has reached the maximum number of activations and current
activation has failed. I've left with a few days. Please help

 

[Alias]

I'm using Genuine Windows and I had a system crash and I reinstalled Windows
XP Pro. But after installation on activating it, I got an error message that
The Windows CD has reached the maximum number of activations and current
activation has failed. I've left with a few days. Please help

Ah, the joys of MS' ineffective anti piracy programs. You'll have to
call MS and take the virtual equivalent of being jerked out of your car
window, slam dunked face first on the hood of your car and frisked.

If this kind of thing bothers you, I would recommend trying out Linux.
Nowadays, Linux is as user friendly as Windows, needs no activation,
WGA, etc. and it's free!

Check out:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

and

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

for an alternative to this invasive crap from Microsoft.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm using Genuine Windows and I had a system crash and I reinstalled Windows
XP Pro. But after installation on activating it, I got an error message that
The Windows CD has reached the maximum number of activations and current
activation has failed. I've left with a few days. Please help

The error message you received is somewhat misleading. What it
really means is that Microsoft's database thinks you've activated "via
the Internet too many times within the last 120 days." Because there is
usually no sound technical reason for reinstalling and re-activating
WinXP so frequently, the automatic presumption is that the OS is being
installed on multiple machines. I really think Microsoft should fix
this message, but it is, in reality, a relatively minor "cosmetic"
issue, so they're probably giving more weight to some silly cost-benefit
analysis more than they are their customers' occasional confusion.

In actuality, there's no limit to the number of times you can
reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is
there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an
evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since
you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able
to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

Yes, it seems to me that it has been less than 120 days since I installed
Windows on my PC. I shall follow the telephonic procedure. Thanks for the
information.

 

[Guest]

Ah, the joys of MS' ineffective anti piracy programs. You'll have to

call MS and take the virtual equivalent of being jerked out of your car
window, slam dunked face first on the hood of your car and frisked.

If you consider a 5-15 minute phone call being this painful what do you
consider countless hours upon hours googling to figure out how different
parts of linux works? Why do you post here? This is a windows XP helpful
newsgroup not a Windows bashing newsgroup. You offered no means of help in
this post other than telling him to switch to linux which will be a lot
harder for him to figure out than making a simple phone call.

Joe

Kemco ITP

 

[Alias]

If you consider a 5-15 minute phone call being this painful what do you
consider countless hours upon hours googling to figure out how different
parts of linux works?

Not necessary. I can see you haven't tried the new Linux distros in years.

Why do you post here? This is a windows XP helpful

newsgroup not a Windows bashing newsgroup.

I post here because the mood strikes me.

You offered no means of help in

this post other than telling him to switch to linux which will be a lot
harder for him to figure out than making a simple phone call.

Joe

Well, if you like being accused of stealing something you bought, that's
your choice but I don't and will continue to post my views here. If you
don't like my posts and can use self control, don't open them. If you
haven't got any self control, kill file me.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Yes, it seems to me that it has been less than 120 days since I installed
Windows on my PC. I shall follow the telephonic procedure. Thanks for the
information.

You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

Alias,

I do agree with you on many posts as far as MS's crap WGA and things of that
nature. I don't however agree to tell people to switch to linux for a small
thing like making a short phone call.

Joe

Kemco ITP

 

[Alias]

Alias,

I do agree with you on many posts as far as MS's crap WGA and things of that
nature. I don't however agree to tell people to switch to linux for a small
thing like making a short phone call.

Joe

Kemco ITP

It's a matter of principle to me. I went along with WPA and activated
with XP. I even didn't complain too much when I went to Windows Update
and was required to be "genuine" to get updates that way. But when they
started lying and calling WGA/N "critical" and "high priority" updates,
I started getting a bit upset. Then, I had a problem with a NIC on a
computer that was driving me nuts because I couldn't get it to connect
to the Net. I uninstalled it, took it out of the machine, installed it
again for about three times before I replaced it with a new one and it
finally took. Then I had to activate not once but FOUR times for the
next four reboots. When one is having problems with one's computer, the
*last* thing one wants is for MS to jump in and force you to prove you
have a legit license when you know damn well you do.

I never, ever, thought I would be using Linux. I've been using MS since
1985. I thought Linux would be too techie for me. I was pleasantly
surprised when I install Ubuntu to find how user friendly it is and
found the help I received on the various forums was not "google it" like
you get so many times here from the MVP boys and their wannabes.

Alias